John stole the harmonica in Arnhem (The Netherlands) when the Beatles were on their way to Hamburg for the first time. The very same harmonica plays a big role in the first Beatles singles.Things have been set straight by the way. Somewhere in the 1980's, a Dutch radioprogramme paid a visit to the shop (at least what they thought must have been the shop) and paid for the stolen harmonica.

I must have seen this film about 50 times and never noticed what George is doing in the background .Was there a stink about him been light-fingered in the film , or did the critic's not notice it either ?

I never noticed it until i found a website i forgot what website it was that had these beatles clues movies even in the Small Paul in Help.... they said that he was wearing a swimming trunk. When i watched it again that's when i saw George shoplifting . It was funny

Was there a stink about him been light-fingered in the film , or did the critic's not notice it either ?

I can't imagine why there would be, unless you mean the critics would think the Beatles were a "bad influence". Given that they publicly stated they weren't trying to be any kind of influence (regarding smoking, etc.), I don't think the critics would have got very far.

George's character in the film is obsessed about money. When Ringo might be endangered because of the shop, he remarks, "Hey, there might be some insurance". Later, he doesn't want Ringo to give up the ring because it "might be worth a couple of bob," etc. He never pays for his round of drinks and cheats at cards. All in all, a fine example for teenagers.

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All you've got to do is choose love. That's how I live it now. I learned a long time ago, I can feed the birds in my garden. I can't feed them all. -- Ringo Starr, Rolling Stone magazine, May 2007<br />

I would have thought the critics would have thought it a bad influence harihead , and wanted poor George carted off to "Borstal " ?I remember the Stones getting into a lot of trouble for been caught having a pee by the roadside , the British press were very snotty about such behaviour in those days .(santa4)